Christian Writer Author:
Rodney Smith
Location:
New South Wales
,
Australia
Email:
jesuslives@beagle.com.au
Website:
users.beagle.com.au/jesuslives
 Rod Smith is a retired proof reader. He is an Englishman at heart, now living in Australia, where he is a citizen. He writes mainly on evangelism which he practises, and believes in passionately. He also writes on what he sees as necessary changes to the Christian church status quo.
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I've Written . . .
Beyond "How Are You?"
Christian Article
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Church
Fiction: False
Jesus tells us to love our neighbour as ourselves. He says it is the second greatest commandment (Matthew 22:39). First, though, we need to know people; really know them. We have to get beyond the banal “How are you?” which (in Australia at least) is just another way of saying hello.
If we must say “how are you” then let’s be prepared to spend half an hour listening to the answer!
Too ofte
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Just Be A Messenger
Christian Article
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Evangelism
Fiction: False
It's amazing how much literature there is on reaching the unsaved. Some is complicated. Many pages of intricate strategies - often comprising more than a thousand words - as to how we should approach people. Other literature is simple and direct, like the Four Spiritual Laws of Campus Crusade for Christ.
On a more subtle theme there is Friendship Evangelism, where we slowly try to gain someone'
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We Need to Forget Ourselves
Christian Article
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Evangelism
Fiction: False
Three words are common in Christianity today — me, myself, I. When focusing on the big I, we become smug, self-satisfied, self-centred. “Isn’t it marvellous what God has done for me?”
Faith becomes weak when we haven’t learned (or are not taught) to forget ourselves. Generally we are self-focused. Our service for God is frozen like a popsicle because we think only of “me and my life.”
When w
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Imagine
Christian Article
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Evangelism
Fiction: False
People sneer at the lone street preacher obeying Jesus’ instruction of Mark 16:15. “Huh, just a weirdo,” someone says. The preacher is a solitary “fireman”
trying to stop the crowd heading for the flames described in Revelation 20:15.
That is generally the status quo. Little notice is taken of one man, and the street preacher may well say, “Where are all the others?” Jesus spoke of labourers f
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The Second Death: A Scenario
Christian Article
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Evangelism
Fiction: False
The heat increased as the far-distant flames seemed to creep nearer, like a river of molten lava. The people stared open-mouthed.
There were hordes - old, young, middle-aged. They all wore shrouds as in the grave. A twin who had been buried was astonished as he recognized his brother who was cremated.
Earlier, their names had been called. The sound of each reverberated like an organ in a hug
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Oops - There's Pride
Christian Article
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Christianity
Fiction: False
James 4:6 "But he gives more grace, wherefore he says, God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
Most of us fall into the trap of pride at some time. We all want to be recognized, acknowledged. It’s a human trait, yet God expects Christians to be
spiritual. People tell us how wonderful we are, and oops – pride flows like
spilt milk.
People are proud of almost any achievemen
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Use Those Premises
Christian Article
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Church
Fiction: False
Christians must take the gospel as Jesus said, but we also need to build bridges across the chasm that exists between non-believers and ourselves. However, tradition is a barrier. What are the things that need to change?
The average church building is in use on a Sunday morning for only two hours, then maybe for a Bible Study two hours midweek. Why only two hours? Why only twice a week at most?
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The Bible Verses We Rarely Hear
Christian Article
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Christianity
Fiction: False
"Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." 2 Timothy 3:12.
"...and that we must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God." Acts 14:22.
Those scriptures are the flipside to the in-circulation Christian coin. They are as palatable to the affluent western world as a December holiday in Siberia.
Persecution and tribulation are not what people want to
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The Unseen Helper
Christian Article
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Christian Living
Fiction: False
He is our invisible asset — if we allow Him to be. He works quietly, unobtrusively in the background like a TV make-up artist; changing our circumstances for the better; arranging situations which benefit and improve us. If adversity comes, that too has a purpose, though we may not immediately realize it.
He is a daily guide in decision-making. You can talk to Him as though He’s in a chair bes
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The Will Of God Is In The Word
Christian Article
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Christian Living
Fiction: False
Some seem to need upon waking a special daily sign from God, a feeling regarding what he/she ought to do. This is not to criticize those who do live that way.
Yet there is an alternative for those who think the Christian life is a kind of daily spiritual fog, and God's special revelation is required to lead them through it.
Because we have the Bible, much of our instruction for daily life is t
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"We preach the gospel." Oh really?
Christian Article
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Christian Living
Fiction: False
Most pastors and ministers say they preach the gospel – but often much is missing, particularly Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned…” It’s not easy to tell those first-time-here, Italian-suited strangers they are sinners. Especially that prominent politician sitting in the front row. So it isn’t done. Are Christians on this earth to make friends, or to tell it like it is?
Repentance is another di
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"Guts"
Christian Article
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Christian Living
Fiction: False
Sometimes called intestinal fortitude, guts is shorter, earthy and to the point.
Today Christianity needs hundreds, thousands, with guts.
There is a great need for people who will take a public stand for God. They are too few, and the society we see around us is the result.
“Ah yes, but I must have a calling from God,” some say. Try Mark 16:15. God will equip those who are available. Isaiah
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"Look at the birds."
Christian Article
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Christian Living
Fiction: False
"Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” Jesus spoke those words in Matthew 6:26.
What a message regarding faith resides in that. If we really believe what Jesus says, then anxiety and worry will not stay long at the believer’s house.
Have you noticed how many people actually
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